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Omusati education crackdown: Nine private schools face immediate closure

Omusati education director Paulus Kashiimbi has directed nine private schools operating in the region without full registration to cease operations immediately.

In a letter dated 26 November 2024, Kashiimbi cited sections of the Education Act of 2020 prohibiting the operation of a satellite school linked to a registered private school.

The sections further forbid anyone from providing basic education at a private/part-time centre unless the school is registered in terms of the Basic Education Act of 2020.

“It’s against this background that private schools operating illegally, offering some phase that is not approved or operating a satellite school linked to a registered private school, are contravening the Basic Education Act of 2020 and must stop with immediate effect,” Kashiimbi said.

Kashiimbi’s directive, issued seven days before the school closed last month, has been met with anger and frustration from parents who say the announcement came with insufficient notice.

Some parents claim the directive only targets schools within Okahao. However, Kashiimbi yesterday told The Namibian there are about nine unregistered private schools operating in the Omusati region, although this figure could be higher.

“Unfortunately, I cannot provide the exact numbers because the directorate is still actively investigating and addressing this issue.”

He said the identified private schools started operations without having fully completed the registration process, which involves meeting certain criteria and obtaining the necessary approvals.

“The directive was issued to all schools in the region reported or found to be operating without the proper registration.”
Kashiimbi said the directorate of education, arts and culture is simply prioritising the safety and well-being of pupils.

“This includes ensuring the quality of education, the appropriateness of the curriculum and the qualifications of teachers at these schools, as well as other educational aspects that must be met before the school can be registered, to ensure the educational well-being of pupils.”

He said the directorate recognises the potential disruption caused by the closure of unregistered schools and advised affected pupils to contact their circuit inspectors to minimise the impact.

Circuit inspectors would assist in placing the affected pupils in nearby state schools to ensure continued access to education, he added.

He, however, urged parents to always verify that private schools are registered to avoid any future inconvenience.

Parents and guardians of pupils at Liberty Heritage School at Okahao, in a letter written by school board member Nelago Shilongo on Friday, told Kashiimbi the timing of the directive was unfair due to short notice.

They further said they had already enrolled their children, baught uniforms and stationery and paid school fees in advance.

Liberty Heritage is reportedly registered with the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture as it has another campus at Ongwediva, but its Okahao branch is operating as a satellite campus.

“We emphasise that Liberty Heritage School, although a satellite school, is fully registered up to Grade 12 and plays a vital role in meeting the high demand for education at Okahao,” noted the parents.

“We, as parents, humbly request the education ministry to allow Liberty Heritage School Okahao to continue operating for the 2025 academic year, while completing its registration process.

We have agreed to keep our children at home pending a response from the ministry.”

The parents say the school has approximately 100 enrolled pupils.

Liberty Heritage Private School pastor Festus Negumbo told The Namibian yesterday they would provide comment once they had engaged the director of education on the matter.

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